They've been pretty consistant since the mid 90s.

I think Pharrell & the Neptunes deserve a spot right next to Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, L.A. and Babyface and Teddy Riley (and Gene Griffin.) They are the direct nephews of these guys (and the son of Teddy Riley, lol.)

What do y'all think.?

My favorite producers are Babyface, Pharrell/Neptunes, Kanye and Timbaland (not his recent stuff though) but to answer your question Pharrell is a big influence on this new generation, so I think the Neptunes derserve to be mention.

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[Edited 3/3/14 21:53pm]

babybugz said:

My favorite producers are Babyface, Pharrell/Neptunes, Kanye and Timbaland (not his recent stuff though) but to answer your question Pharrell is a big influence on this new generation, so I think the Neptunes derserve to be mention.

[Edited 3/3/14 21:52pm]

[Edited 3/3/14 21:53pm]

But are they on that level of those guys I mentioned? Can the hold their own against them?

LittleBLUECorvette said:

babybugz said:

My favorite producers are Babyface, Pharrell/Neptunes, Kanye and Timbaland (not his recent stuff though) but to answer your question Pharrell is a big influence on this new generation, so I think the Neptunes derserve to be mention.

[Edited 3/3/14 21:52pm]

[Edited 3/3/14 21:53pm]

But are they on that level of those guys I mentioned? Can the hold their own against them?

Depends on who you ask. Those guys you mention are legend staus and has made better records than the neptunes, but like I said Pharrell name holds weight in this generation, so there maybe a good number that would agree they should be up there. I personally love them.

I think he definately has, already since 10 years to be honest. In fact I rate The Neptunes/Pharrell higher than both Babyface and Teddy Riley. More consistent quality, and a sound that is funkier and more appealing to me.

Jam and Lewis, Teddy Riley and Babyface are legends but Pharrell is not far behind. Probably depending on your generation you will have a different opinion on this. But they are are all great producers.

Prince is my favorite producer. Pharrell is extremely overrated in my book.

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Surpassed. Especially Teddy. The Neptunes have done rock, rap, R&B/soul, disco, EDM... for themselves AND others... basically all to pleasurable results. I have an astounding Neptunes playlist that gets more interesting as the years pass. Looking forward to much more from both of these guys. Plus they put on an amazing live show, a lot of great energy.

6sixx6 said:

Prince is my favorite producer. Pharrell is extremely overrated in my book.

[Edited 3/4/14 6:59am]

Prince was my favorite producer too, but only his 80's and some of the early 90's output. As a producer he is kinda boring in most cases these days. I prefer the sound of The Neptunes, and I don't think Pharrell is overrated at all. If anything underrated.

funkaholic1972 said:

6sixx6 said:

Prince is my favorite producer. Pharrell is extremely overrated in my book.

[Edited 3/4/14 6:59am]

Prince was my favorite producer too, but only his 80's and some of the early 90's output. As a producer he is kinda boring in most cases these days. I prefer the sound of The Neptunes, and I don't think Pharrell is overrated at all. If anything underrated.

I must admit that Prince has gotten lazy. Maybe things will pick up with the new project?

6sixx6 said:

funkaholic1972 said:

Prince was my favorite producer too, but only his 80's and some of the early 90's output. As a producer he is kinda boring in most cases these days. I prefer the sound of The Neptunes, and I don't think Pharrell is overrated at all. If anything underrated.

I must admit that Prince has gotten lazy. Maybe things will pick up with the new project?

I've heard good things about Prince's work on Liv Warfield's new album. Any thoughts? The track with Janelle Monae was smokin'.

Artesian said:

No. They're not even up there with Rodney Jerkins or Clivillés and Cole. What I don't like about Pharrell and the Neptunes are what some are praising them for: inconsistency. Babyface had a sound. Teddy Riley had a sound. Jam & Lewis had a sound. Timbaland had a sound. I don't know how to identify Pharrell/The Neptunes. He's too abstract and all over the place. He's killing it right now because the music industry is shifting away from what was popular from 2009-2012, is looking for something new to get behind and he's odd enough to seem like something "new."

.

Clivilles & Cole really? Have you been under a rock since nine deuce?

jeidee said:

6sixx6 said:

I must admit that Prince has gotten lazy. Maybe things will pick up with the new project?

I've heard good things about Prince's work on Liv Warfield's new album. Any thoughts? The track with Janelle Monae was smokin'.

I'm not exactly sure how much work Prince put into her project but I really like that project from beginning to end. I'm surprised that I like it. It was unexpected.

Yeah definitely. He's now the biggest hit-factory since Babyface!

Artesian said:

i dont think teddy riley is on the same level with those guys mentioned, but i would put the neptunes up there. imo teddy wasnt able to evolve from the new jack swing era,once it ran its course so did he basically.

For this era in music, I would agree. However, the messages in the music have changed significantly since then. Very little is about love and sensuality now. It's all about Autotune, sex and all else that's raunchy and cliched. Back when J&L and BF ruled, the emphasis was always on love and relationship. I'm not sure that in these casual times such a concept would be embraced or fully understood sadly.

whitechocolatebrotha said:

For this era in music, I would agree. However, the messages in the music have changed significantly since then. Very little is about love and sensuality now. It's all about Autotune, sex and all else that's raunchy and cliched. Back when J&L and BF ruled, the emphasis was always on love and relationship. I'm not sure that in these casual times such a concept would be embraced or fully understood sadly.

Tne Neptunes started out when Face, Jam & Lewis, ect were still relevant. They were writing and producing for Blackstreet, SWV, ect back in 93/94.

Pharrell/Neptunes and Timbaland are great. Of course one would not appreciate them if comparing them to their influences that came before.

funkaholic1972 said:

I think he definately has, already since 10 years to be honest. In fact I rate The Neptunes/Pharrell higher than both Babyface and Teddy Riley. More consistent quality, and a sound that is funkier and more appealing to me.

First of all i think they should be up there.

But funkier than JJ TL and Teddy Riley???

have u ever heard a bassline on the synth by JJ TL, have u ever heard Teddy play the talkbox or play a solo on a synth?

Neptunes is funky allright, especially in this age with all the unfunkiness going on. but funkier than those others? no! also not funkier than Babyface. dont be cruel by Bobby Brown is funky and also The Deele stuff is funk.

In terms of producing funk and disco music? He kinda proved he's THERE.

SpookyElektrix said:

funkaholic1972 said:

I think he definately has, already since 10 years to be honest. In fact I rate The Neptunes/Pharrell higher than both Babyface and Teddy Riley. More consistent quality, and a sound that is funkier and more appealing to me.

First of all i think they should be up there.

But funkier than JJ TL and Teddy Riley???

have u ever heard a bassline on the synth by JJ TL, have u ever heard Teddy play the talkbox or play a solo on a synth?

Neptunes is funky allright, especially in this age with all the unfunkiness going on. but funkier than those others? no! also not funkier than Babyface. dont be cruel by Bobby Brown is funky and also The Deele stuff is funk.

Havent heard any of that, I have to be honest here. Thanks for pointing this out, will look into this! Definately Blackstreet had some funky tunes, but The Neptunes have made many more good tracks that appealed to me over the years.

I would say no to your question for this reason; his/their ballad game is lacking. We know Babyface made a CAREER off of lush ballads and Jam & Lewis helmed classics by Janet, Usher, Boyz II Men, and even Guy has their classic slow jams. I admit, I don't know the depth of their catalogue but I'm pressed to find a chart topping, heart stopping ballad by them.

datdude said:

I would say no to your question for this reason; his/their ballad game is lacking. We know Babyface made a CAREER off of lush ballads and Jam & Lewis helmed classics by Janet, Usher, Boyz II Men, and even Guy has their classic slow jams. I admit, I don't know the depth of their catalogue but I'm pressed to find a chart topping, heart stopping ballad by them.

I am soooo glad The Neptunes don't do ballads! That is probably why I like their music so much, I realise now. I have never been a fan of balllads (except some Prince ones maybe), ever since the days of funk in the seventies lots of rnb records were littered with lots of unneccesary and boring ballads. For me it was always about the funky mid- or uptempo tracks, and the Neptunes productions always seem to fit that category.